Disclaimer: All recognisable characters are the property of MGM/Amazon. No copyright infringement intended. I am simply taking my favourite two Gaters for a walk in an Alternate Universe.
Rating: Still T...
Episode Tags: Takes place in Season 7 after 7.16 Death Knell. No other specific tags, except that I have written Henry Hayes as having already been elected the President even though in Canon, the timing is before 7.20 Inauguration. I like Henry.
A/N: No specific triggers in this chapter, except references to O'Neill's present state of mind. Since I am not American, I have heavily relied upon the marvel that is Google for information Arlington, Crystal Valley and Fairmount Cemetery's. Please feel free to correct me if you are a local. I have no beta, so all mistakes are my own.
A/N#2: Not long after this chapter was uploaded, I had a review from GWhite over at AO3 regarding the conversation between Cam and Colonel Hutchins. As a direct result of that review, and my wish to remain as true to RL as possible, I have uploaded an edited version. Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Grief
"Six to eight months! Please tell me you are joking?" I yelled, glowering down over George's seated figure.
"Now Jacob, that is the best I can do. I know she is entitled to a service at Arlington but getting it sooner than that is simply not possible." He replied calmly.
"Jacob, you need to calm down." Selmak advised. "Samantha would not want this." I closed my eyes and allowed her to soothe my racing mind and body. I sensed George waiting patiently while I decompressed.
I breathed deep. "So, you're telling me that the combined efforts of two 2-Star Generals, an off-world ally and the President of the United States of America cannot pull a few strings to get this happening faster?" I all but growled, counting each person off on my fingers.
"Jacob, why don't you sit down." George countered. I slowly nodded, taking the proffered seat. George leant forward resting his forearms on his paperwork strewn desk. Taking in the chaos before me, I realised that this had been the first time I had ever seen George's desk in such disarray. Even when we worked together at Peterson, I recalled his desk always being orderly and clear of clutter regardless of how busy he was at the time.
"I'm sorry George. I just… I miss my little girl. A father is not supposed to outlive their children." I murmured, my thoughts going to Jack and how much more we now had in common. "We can't make him wait that long; we can't expect him to grieve for her twice." I said, referring to Jack without saying his name. He might not care about his career, but everyone else certainly did.
"At least he is grieving my friend." Selmak accused. I ignored her. Despite Selmak's insistence that I should, I had refused to let myself mourn her. There was too much to do before the High Council wanted us to return to our off-world schedule. I knew from experience that once I started down that road, I would not stop. It would be like her mother all over again. It had been over two decades since I lost Debra, yet I still missed her every day. The pain that I never let my children see had dulled over time, but it was still there. Seeing Sam pale and lifeless flung me back to the day of Debra's viewing, she looked so much like her mother. Selmak was the only Tok'ra who maintained contact with their host's family. The rest of them didn't understand why she allowed me such liberties, and we had earned ourselves some enemies within the Tok'ra ranks because of that.
"I understand Jacob, believe me. Unfortunately, the Joint Chiefs and the President have no control or sway where Arlington is concerned. Whilst Arlington is under the jurisdiction of the US Army, it is controlled by a sub-department who must cater for all serving military members." He explained.
I regarded him coolly. I knew this already. What irked me was that my daughter had given her life to save this planet repeatedly, yet it felt like she was being shunted down the line in favour of those who had served, but never been deployed into hostile territory. Intellectually, I knew this was not the case. I knew each burial was handled on a case-by-case basis and with the utmost honour and respect, but the part of me that wanted to rage and shout at the injustice of it all wanted the whole country to know of her sacrifice.
George breathed. "Jacob, all deceased members of the US Armed Forces have the right to a place at Arlington, regardless of their length of service or whether they were deployed. Sam would not want us to bump her ahead of anyone else."
I sighed. "I know… I know. She was so magnanimous George. I'm sorry for pushing." I swallowed my hurt.
He nodded his understanding. "The good news is, we can get her into Crystal Valley with full military honours in a little under a fortnight or sooner if we intern her at Fairmount up in Denver."
"Fairmount is only an hour away, and she won't have to wait."
"Yes, it is, but…" George started, he held up one finger, then leant down to his bottom draw. I watched as he pulled out a map of Crystal Valley. Unfolding it and placing over the top of the paper mountain on his desk, before smoothing it out. "This is the space we can get for Sam." He said, pointing to a highlighted spot on the map.
"A double space, why a double…" I started to ask. Looking from the map to George, he nodded and smiled. "For him as well?" George nodded. I sighed, "You can't tell him, not yet, you know as well as I do why." I stated. Jack was a mess. George had him on suicide watch, though no one had told Jack as much. Between Daniel and Teal'c, they were monitoring him around the clock, supervising his alcohol intake and making sure he ate, slept and showered. He had been at Sam's house since it happened two days ago. I had it under good authority that for over half of that, he refused to change out of the BDU's he had worn that fateful day.
"I do, but that is not the main reason." George said before he started counting the rows along the bottom and up the side, bringing his fingers together to a single spot. "This is where Charlie O'Neill is buried." He stated. I looked from the map to George.
"How is that possible? Charlie was buried nearly a decade ago, how did you get a space so close?" I asked. George smiled
"For that, you can thank the President. This plot belongs to him, at least until I pick up that phone." He explained. "We did not get into the reasons why he has offered it, only that he has. In addition, Henry has offered to arrange the full military honours and will be clearing his schedule so he can attend in person. All I have to do is call and he will make it happen."
I smiled. "Henry always was a good man. I'll never understand why he decided to become a politician." I replied.
"Be glad that he did Jacob, this program has never enjoyed so much political support than it does right now. God forbid when he does get to the end of his terms." I knew what he was getting at. The VP was no fan of the Stargate Program. If he became the next president, this place would likely be mothballed before he was sworn in.
"Well, I guess you better call the man." I said, standing to take my leave. "I have a flight to organise." I had requested to inform Mark myself. I didn't want my son to receive the news over the phone. I had to do this in person, though I dreaded the thought of it.
George nodded his understanding. "How are you getting to San Diego?" He asked.
"I'm going to book the next available commercial flight, then grab a rental. Why?" I asked.
George held up his finger, then picked up his black phone receiver. After a few moments, someone picked up. "James, it's George – as well as can be expected. Thank you, we all miss her. Yes, she was a fine officer and a remarkable young woman."
I could only hear one side of the conversation, but I had a feeling he was cashing in a favour. I smiled to myself. "Your daughter was much loved." Selmak commented. I agreed with her silently and focused back on George's conversation.
"I wouldn't normally ask, but do you have anyone needing flight hours? – You do, that's great. – A return trip to San Diego this afternoon and back tomorrow for General Carter." Looking to me for silent confirmation. I nodded. I had to go back off-world tomorrow for a few days. "Excellent, thank you James. I'll be sure to pass on the details once they are finalised. See you then." He hung up.
"What do I owe you for this George?" I asked.
He smiled. "Nothing Jacob. It is the least I can do. Head to the surface, I'll have an airman standing by to convey you to Peterson. When you arrive, James won't be on site so ask for Colonel Hutchins. Major Cameron Mitchell was flying to Nevada this afternoon and back tomorrow, but he will be rerouted to San Diego instead." He said, standing from his chair and folding the Crystal Valley map.
"Thank you, George. You don't know what this means to me." I said as I shook his hand, then turning and leaving his office, making my way to the surface.
Standing in front of my locker after donning my flight suit, my eyes fell on a picture taken at my Academy graduation years ago. I pulled it off the door. I had always secretly had a thing for Samantha Carter, but she had been with someone else. Engaged if you could believe that. I hadn't seen her again until late 1996, bumping into her at this very base.
"Sam?" I called out, I was sure it was her. She spun around.
"Cam?" She looked closer, "My God, Cam it is you! What are you doing here? I thought you were at Edwards?" She said excitedly, almost bowling me over.
"Well, I was until 2 weeks ago. Now I'm here. What are you doing here? I thought you were at the Pentagon." I asked.
"Yeah, I was, until 6 months ago. They sent me here to work on a project in the mountain." She said, then sighed, "But now, I'm on my way back." She grimaced.
"Can't do without you over there huh?" I quipped, pointing over my shoulder in a vague easterly direction.
"Let's just say things didn't work out moving West." She replied, a small smirk crossing her face.
As it happened, in the last 8 years I had been bounced back to Edwards, then down to Nellis and now I was back at Peterson after finishing my second tour in the Gulf. I had looked Sam up again, hoping to catch up with her, but her trail went cold after she was reassigned to Cheyenne Mountain in early 1997. The last thing I was expecting was to receive was news through the AF grapevine that she had been killed in action. I didn't even realise she was back in the field.
"Major Mitchell, Sir." Lieutenant Thorpe said from behind me. I resisted rolling my eyes at his stifled chuckle. I was well aware that my title and last name made me sound like an Australian parrot, a fact I had learned while serving alongside some RAAF pilots from 75 Squadron while on tour. I longed for the old days where I was mocked for my unfortunate call sign instead.
"Yes, Lieutenant." I smiled weakly.
"Colonel Hutchins would like to see you, Sir." He stated quickly.
"Thanks Dave." I replied, before sticking the photo I held back beside the photo of my Grandfather and closing the door. A few minutes later, I knocked on the Colonel's door.
"Enter." Came the muffled command.
"Reporting as ordered, Sir." I said, saluting quickly.
"Major, there's been a change of plans. You aren't going to Nevada today." He looked up at the last minute.
"Where am I going Sir?" I asked. Not that I cared, it was only flight hours. I'd have been kicking back at Nevada anyway. It wasn't like I'd be lining up for one of those flashy Area 51 tours out of Vegas.
"Miramar." The Colonel replied.
I smirked at the location. "Sending me to Top Gun Sir?" I asked. It had been a silly joke amongst a few of my AF buddies after a drunken night with two Navy pilots insisting their 9 weeks was more intensive than our 5 and a half months.
"A bit of a problem with that one, son. One – this ain't the Navy, two – Top Gun has been at Fallon, Nevada for several years, and three…" He glanced up at me with a decidedly unamused look. "…I wouldn't be letting some Navy jock escort a Major General anywhere." Despite the Navy jab at the end, the Colonel's response made it clear that I should not be quitting my day job anytime soon.
I swallowed, "Of course not Sir, it was a joke Sir." I replied, standing just a little bit straighter and losing the smirk on my face.
"Not a very funny one, I assure you, Major." He replied drily.
I coughed, "May I ask which Major General, Sir?" I asked, not taking my attention from the Colonel despite hearing the office door open behind me.
"Me." A commanding voice came from behind me. I turned to see who it was.
"General Carter, Sir!" I said quickly and saluted again. He was wearing a plain set of green BDU's, without his stars, but I knew Sam's Dad in a blink.
"Relax, both of you." He said, stepping into the office. He looked drawn.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Sir." I said quietly.
"Thank you, son. Major Cameron Mitchell, right?"
"Yes, Sir. Sam and I were at the Academy together." I replied, not sure what else I could say.
The General looked at his watch. "Do you mind if we get this show on the road, Colonel?" He asked.
"Not at all Sir, Shaft is ready to go when you are." The Colonel said.
General Carter turned back to look at me slowly, one eyebrow raised. "Shaft?" He queried.
"Yes, Sir… as in Cam Shaft." I replied. I really didn't like my call sign.
"Well, I suppose it's better than being a pink cockatoo." He said with a smirk before turning and leaving the office. I looked down at my boots. Yep. Never gonna live that down.
A/N2: Yes, we do have a pink cockatoo called a Major Mitchell in Australia. I know Cam is an LC in the show, but since Sam is a Major and they were at the Academy together, I have made the assumption that Cam is also currently a Major with promotion likely to happen in a few years.